Condiment receptacle caddy

ABSTRACT

A condiment receptacle caddy adapted to releasably retain receptacles held thereby and furthermore to enable contact to exist between a supporting surface and the caddy base and each receptacle base when the unit is at rest thereon.

Unlted States Patent [191 [111 3,830,417 Montesi Aug. 20, 1974 [54] CONDIMENT RECEPTACLE CADDY 593,312 lI/l897 Schandein et al. 211/74 [75] Inventor: Edward N. Montesi, Woonsocket, figg 2,733,077 2/1957 Pierce [73] Assignee: Dart Industries Inc., Los Angeles, 23963 7/ Calif.

[22] Filed; Jam 5 73 Primary ExaminerRobert J. Spar Assistant ExaminerKenneth Noland [21] Appl. No.: 323,662

[52] US. Cl. 224/45 R, 224/45 AA, 211/74 [57] ABSTRACT [51] Int. Cl. A45c 11/00 [58] Field of Search.... 224/45 R, 45 Q, 45 P, 45 A, A condiment receptacle caddy adapted to releasably 224/45 AA, 45 W, 45 BA; 211/74, 71; retain receptacles held thereby and furthermore to en- 220/102, 106, 23.4, 23.83, 23.86; 7/52, 55, able contact to exist between a supporting surface and 58, 71, 76 the caddy base and each receptacle base when the unit is at rest thereon. [56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 3 Claims, 11 Drawing Figures 72,758 l2/l867 Reistle 211/74 PATENIED M162 01974 SHEET 10F 3 FIG FlG.5

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CONDIMENT RECEPTACLE CADDY This invention relates to a condiment receptacle holder and more particularly to a salt and pepper shaker caddy suitable for use with such that are intended as table service implements. Further, the character of this inventive structure is such that it lends itself to use as a retaining means for doubly divergent condiment shakers as are illustrated in U.S. Pat. No. 3,476,297.

The unique shaping of the particular shakers referred to makes desirable use of a construction that (I) will firmly yet easily release the shakers so that during movement of the caddy or holder from place to place, one is assured of the positive retention thereof, and (2) will provide for the stable retention of the unit (caddy and shakers) when they are at rest on a suitable supporting surface.

Although a variety of cruet stands and the like are known in the prior art these vary considerably in structural arrangement from that herein described in more detail below. These prior art devices, for example, have provided either a base support for the retained condiment receptacle that was also interposed between the receptacle base and a supporting surface for the combined unit and/or supports suchreceptacles above the base element of 'the stand, caddy or holder. In either or both instances the unit (caddy and receptacles) may tend to be unstable when in a position of repose on'suitable support surface. Further, during movement of the unit, there may be instances where the receptacles are not firmly retained both near their base and adjacent their uppermost extent, thus creating an unstable situation at this time also. In either instance, upset is likely and, of course, such is disruptive and annoying to'all those associated with or bearing witness to the unfortunate accident.

Accordingly, this invention seeks to provide a caddy or holder construction that is adaptable to retain doubly divergent shakers with stability at all times. At rest, the shakers, as well as the caddy feet are adapted to reside on the supporting surface. This, of course, means that the holder is not providing support for the shakers or receptacles at this time. Rather, each member of the unit needs only to support itself thus negating any chance of a cantilevering force effect on holder. Likewise, due to a unique finger and foot construction when the caddy is elevated for movement, these elements engage upper and lower portionsof the receptacles and draw same into close contact with the elements, thus generating a retentive feature characterized by a high degree of stability.

The ensuing description, claims and drawings will afford a better understanding of various other advantages and features of the invention wherein,

FIG. 1 is a top-front perspective view of the Condiment Receptacle Caddy of this invention showing the overall construction thereof;

FIG. 2 is a side view of the Caddy illustrating the respective spacingof the receptacle holding elements;

FIG. 3 is a front elevational view;

FIG. 4 is a top plan view again stressing the spacing of the holding elements;

FIG. 5 is a partial cross-sectional view taken along line 5-5 of FIG. 2;

FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view tkaen along line 6-6 in FIG. 2; 7

FIG. 7 is a partial cross-sectional view taken along line 7-7 of FIG. 2;

FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 8-8 in FIG. 3;

FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 99 in FIG. 3;

FIG. 10 is a front elevational view of the Condiment Receptacle Caddy and a receptacle therefor, both shown resting on a supporting surface; and

FIG. 11 is a similar showing to that in FIG. 10 except that the Caddy and receptacles are shwon to be supported above the supporting surface.

Referring now to the various Figures and more particularly to FIG. 1, it can be seen that the caddy I0 is comprised of an upstanding main center support section 12', a vertically protruding handle 14 extending from the upper end 1 5'thereof and two pairs each of fingers l'6-and feet 18.

The handle 14, as is readily apparent from FIGS. 10 and 11 extends substantially above the uppermost portion of receptacle 20 thus allowing easy entry of the finger digits therebetween. Likewise, the terminal end of the handle curved in opposite directions as at 22 to provide a readily graspable means.

The main'hol'cling features of the caddy 10 are, how-- ever, the respective finger and feet pairs 16 and 18.

In view of the fact that this caddy is primarily intended for use withsalt and pepper shakers, two carriage means are provided It should be apparent that more might be desirable and such is contemplated by the invention.

Each finger pair 16 includes two outwardly extending elements 24 positioned along the support section 12 and in this instance at the upper extremity thereof. Such' are, further, adjacently positioned but spaced apart approximately a distance equivalent to the minimum shaker diameter of its upper divergent section 26 and are provided with upwardly curved ends 28 that are adapted to firmly engage such section thereby stably retaining the shakers in the caddy as the unit (caddy 10 and shakers 20) are removed from a support surface.

Further, because of the abovementioned curved end portions 28 on fingers 16, the retained shakers are supported thereby so that even if the caddy is tilted laterally the shakers will be retained in a substantially secure manner.

Feet members l8'are likewise respectively positioned below each of the fingers 16 in substantial alignment therewith at the lowermost extent of support section 12. These are adapted to securely rest on any suitable supporting surface, thus effectively and stably supporting the caddy. The feet 18 are also spaced apart a distance to accommodate the maximum diameter of the lower divergent section of shaker 29. Thus upon elevation of the caddy such will function to lend lateral support to the shaker bottom.

To lend the unit' (caddy and shakers) with a maximum of stability in the at rest position on any suitable surface, the invention contemplates that the shaker bottoms 30 will also be firmly and wholely in contact with the support surface 32. Accordingly, the vertical distance between fingers 16 and feet 18 is critical to creation of this contact. Such distance is, of course, dependent on shaker size and is readily determinable therefrom. Approximately between about I 0.03125 inches and 0.1875 inches vertical movement from rest is, however, desirable prior to the firm engagement of the finger curved portions 28 with the shaker 20.

It should be obvious that this feature enabling engagement of not only the caddy feet but also each shaker itself, with the support surface, creates a maximum of unit stability. Furthermore, because of the release of fingers l6from the shaker body during the times the unit is at rest, such are easily removable from and replaceable in the caddy 10.

I claim:

1. A condiment shaker holder adapted to releasably retain a plurality of condiment shakers in substantially an upright position and including: an upstanding main center support section having a handle means protruding therefrom; at least two pairs of outwardly extending oppositely directed fingers positioned along the extent of said support section, the two fingers of each pair being spaced laterally of but adjacent to one another; and means, including at least two pairs of outwardly extending feet which feet alone contact said supporting surface positioned at the lowermost extent of said support section and in substantial vertical alignment with the respective finger pairs thereabove and vertically spaced from the finger pairs such that said condiment shakers are loosely retained thereby and will themselves contact any suitable supporting surface upon which the holder feet are placed in a position of rest, thus effectively resting the shaker bottoms on the same supporting surface and separating such shakers slightly from the finger pairs.

2. The condiment shaker holder according to claim 1 wherein the terminal ends of said fingers are upwardly curved so as to be engageable with diverging portions of said condiment shakers adjacent the uppermost portion thereof.

3.' The condiment shaker holder according to claim 1 wherein said handle means protrudes upwardly from the main center support section to a point substantially above the uppermost extent of the condiment shakers retained therein. 

1. A condiment shaker holder adapted to releasably retain A plurality of condiment shakers in substantially an upright position and including: an upstanding main center support section having a handle means protruding therefrom; at least two pairs of outwardly extending oppositely directed fingers positioned along the extent of said support section, the two fingers of each pair being spaced laterally of but adjacent to one another; and means, including at least two pairs of outwardly extending feet which feet alone contact said supporting surface positioned at the lowermost extent of said support section and in substantial vertical alignment with the respective finger pairs thereabove and vertically spaced from the finger pairs such that said condiment shakers are loosely retained thereby and will themselves contact any suitable supporting surface upon which the holder feet are placed in a position of rest, thus effectively resting the shaker bottoms on the same supporting surface and separating such shakers slightly from the finger pairs.
 2. The condiment shaker holder according to claim 1 wherein the terminal ends of said fingers are upwardly curved so as to be engageable with diverging portions of said condiment shakers adjacent the uppermost portion thereof.
 3. The condiment shaker holder according to claim 1 wherein said handle means protrudes upwardly from the main center support section to a point substantially above the uppermost extent of the condiment shakers retained therein. 